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Patience Mutsiwi Midlands Reporter
A WOMAN from Lalapanzi has been sentenced to 20 months in prison after she teamed up with her husband to assault their manager who had not paid them salaries for four months. After the assault, the duo dragged the manager to his house where they looted groceries. Precious Phiri (28) appeared before Mvuma Magistrate Mrs Vimbai Makora facing one count of assault.

Her husband, Tichatonga Chidanyika (36), whom she was jointly charged with, absconded the court session. Mrs Makora issued a warrant for his arrest. Phiri pleaded guilty to the charge saying she was tired of working for nothing while it was rumoured that the manager at a mine where they are employed was squandering money.

“Your Worship I admit that I assaulted the complainant, but I was tired of having to work for nothing while the manager was diverting our salaries for his personal use,” said Phiri. Mrs Makora condemned Phiri’s actions saying there were proper channels to be followed if workers were aggrieved.

“The accused should have used other channels instead of assaulting the boss. She’s sentenced to 20 months in prison of which four months are suspended on condition of good behaviour,” she said.

Prosecuting, Mr Michael Kazomba told the court that on June 1 in the morning, Phiri teamed up with her husband and proceeded to Mkaddesh Mine in Lalapanzi to claim their unpaid salaries.

Mr Kazomba said Phiri and Chidanyika approached the manager and demanded their four months’ salary arrears. He said the manager told the duo to return after two days to get their dues.

The court heard that a misunderstanding arose and Phiri took a log and assaulted the complainant twice on the head, before Chidanyika punched him. “Chidanyika dragged the complainant into his cabin at the mine and took groceries worth $20 and told the complainant that they were going to use the groceries while waiting for their salaries. The matter was reported to the police leading to the arrest of the two accused persons,” said Mr Kazomba.